White-collar workers are typically paid a salary, while blue-collar workers are paid an hourly wage. Wages among Big Three workers can vary, largely depending on the terms of the labor contract in blue-collar vs white-collar salary force when they were hired — a so-called “tiered” pay practice the UAW has called to eliminate. They not only complete their graduation but also aim for higher studies like a master’s major, etc.

• Training programs for the skilled trades are shorter and more affordable than traditional 4-year degrees.
• Note that in some cases, long-haul truck drivers can earn an annual salary of more than $100,000.
• Also included is a job position in each industry and the current salary or hourly rate for that job.
• Some blue-collar jobs include factory workers, miners, construction workers, welders, and electricians.

The average job salaries for mid-career elevator installers/repairers range around $63,500, 3 percent higher than the typical salary of $61,611 for a mid-career civil engineer. The education and training https://personal-accounting.org/prepaid-rent-definition-and-meaning/ required for blue-collar jobs can vary depending on the specific job. Most often, blue-collar workers have to work for a specific duration, like 6 or 8 hours, starting from early morning.

What Separates White and Blue Collar Workers?

A considerable amount of physical labor is required in this role as pump operators install, move, and operate different equipment. To land a blue-collar job like an elevator installer and repairer, you must complete a 4-year apprenticeship course that requires candidates to have a high school diploma. The Industrial Revolution ushered in the era of the blue-collar worker when individuals began moving from rural areas in search of work. People began flocking to large cities where factories were labor to operate machinery and work on the production line. The term white-collar, on the other hand, became popular in the 20th century.

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• The terms “blue collar” and “white collar” first appeared in the early 20th century to describe workers based on the color of the shirts they wore.
• Although the terms typically evoke different images of workers, the similarities between their roles are increasing.
• It typically relates to people who work in jobs that involve manual labor.
• A blue-collar job would traditionally focus on physical exertion, rather than mental attention.

To qualify for this job, you must attend an FAA-approved AMT school or have at least 2+ years of work experience in the field and pass the FAA exam to get certified. And since this job profile comes with quite serious risks, they are paid well. If you get shortlisted for the job, you will undergo mandatory training in the police academy or a training institute. Aspiring candidates must at least have a high school diploma, be 21 years of age or older, and be physically fit to qualify. The BLS is committed to providing data promptly and according to established schedules.

Blue Collar vs. White Collar

This includes those in the manufacturing, mining, and construction sectors. People who are considered blue-collar may or may not be skilled and generally earn hourly wages instead of salaries. The term was applied as workers historically wore blue or dark clothing that hid the dirt and residue that came with their jobs. The term blue collar refers to a classification of people, especially those in the workforce. They typically work in manual labor and are compensated by the hour or through piecework.

More people are now acknowledging the skill and mental work that goes into traditionally blue-collar industries, like manufacturing and agriculture. This expression refers to our tendency to judge someone based on how they are dressed. The firm also modeled the cost of the UAW’s proposed 40% wage increase, projecting $4 billion to $6 billion in added costs over four years for GM and Ford each.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Historically, blue-collar jobs were so poorly paid that workers could not afford multiple work outfits, or to have these outfits washed daily. Hence, they wore dark, hard-wearing materials like denim and chambray which were often blue to help with concealing dirt or grease due to the nature of their work. The way blue-collar workers are paid depends on the industry in which they work.